Inklingo

How to Say "unmoving" in Spanish

English → Spanish

quieto

kye-tohˈkje.to

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'quieto' when describing an object or animal that is staying still, often temporarily, perhaps while waiting for something.
A small, brown rabbit sitting perfectly still in a field of green grass, looking forward, completely unmoving.

Examples

El perro se quedó quieto en la esquina esperando su premio.

The dog stayed still in the corner waiting for its treat.

Si te quedas quieto, la ardilla no te verá.

If you stay motionless, the squirrel won't see you.

La foto es borrosa porque no estuviste quieta.

The photo is blurry because you weren't still (feminine form).

Agreement is Key

Since 'quieto' is an adjective, its ending must match the gender and number of the person or thing it describes: quieto (m. sing.), quieta (f. sing.), quietos (m. plural), quietas (f. plural).

Using Ser vs. Estar

Use 'estar' (like in 'estar quieto') to describe a temporary state of not moving. Use 'ser' only if you are describing someone who is naturally a very calm or inactive person, but this is less common.

Forgetting Gender Match

Mistake:La niña es quieto.

Correction: La niña es quieta. (The adjective must end in 'a' to match 'niña'.)

inmóvil

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'inmóvil' to describe a physical state of being completely still, often implying a more profound or fixed lack of movement.

Examples

El gato se quedó inmóvil mirando al pájaro.

The cat stayed motionless watching the bird.

Choosing between 'quieto' and 'inmóvil'

Learners often confuse 'quieto' and 'inmóvil'. Remember that 'quieto' is more common for everyday situations and temporary stillness, especially with living beings performing an action. 'Inmóvil' suggests a more absolute or fixed state of not moving.

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.